We get 3 score years and 10 if we are lucky. But our dogs get a lot less.

We rescued Oliver in May 2016. We rescued him, but really, he rescued me.

I was determined to get two rescue dogs, but then Olly popped up on facebook and I was instantly smitten. He was rescued from the mountains of Karditsa, Greece, where as far as we knew, he'd been abandoned and left to fend for himself. Some of the locals had fed him but he was covered in scars and open wounds. We know he'd been shot and we also suspect that the nasty scar across  the top of his eye and onto his forehead had been made by a bottle thrown at him. We'll never really know what he went through, suffice to say that the wonderful team at F O S Thassos helped to save him. He was checked over by the vet, tested for common illnesses and then he spent some time in Athens.

He was then brought to the UK, crossing land and sea, arriving a few weeks before we decided to travel down to Romford to take a look at him. I was a bit surprised when I saw him as he was bigger in real life. We took him for a little walk to see how he'd be and even though he was estimated to be only 4 years old, he sauntered along like an old man. We decided to bring him home with us. Getting him in the car was a challenge as he was so big and he stood all the way home. He always hated the car and as he got older, he hated it even more as he got to know the only time I'd lift him in it, was for a trip to the vets.

I'll always remember that first walk with him. It was springtime and the fields and national forest must have been such a joy to him. The smells, the long grass, the wide open spaces full of wonder. As we walked Olly lifted his head and saw a horse in a neighbouring field. He jumped up onto the little bridge across the stream and went nose to nose with the horse. I suspect he'd spend time around horses as his tail started wagging and the horse seemed to greet him like an old friend.

Once he'd settled into his new home, he'd spend as much time as he could outside. Although he was not a pedigree dog, I've often thought he was part Spinone, part Pyrenean Mountain Dog.  He loved to be outside, he'd cook himself under the Sun and cuddle up in his cosey kennel when it snowed. At first it was a worry, but then he was a stubborn soul (both breeds are known for being single-minded and determined), he knew his own mind and was at his happiest when he could be free in his own safe space. He only ever jumped the low level fence once and when he'd got to the other side, his expression was one of 'What do I do now then?'.

His first  illustrated picture book was to record his journey from being saved to coming home. A wonderful local illustrator brought his story to life. It's a wonderful record of a wonderful dog in his prime.

Olly started getting slower a couple of years ago and it was a little by little change. Then all of a sudden I realised that the 5+ miles walks a day were a distant memory and we were lucky in the end that he could still take a few steps outside. During those days, I recognised that time was short and I was able to spend as much time, savouring his company and making memories that I could keep forever.

A year ago I started writing a set of short stories, that would eventually join up to make one book. One of those chapters was about a woman who had a loyal dog who would help her to dish out retribution and justice. Suffice to say, as I started writing, I decided to take that one chapter and write it with Olly as the main character. The chapter and then the short, illustrated book that came from it, was a lovely way to spend time writing, whilst Olly slept nearby. It was finished just a few days after Olly crossed the Rainbown Bridge.

The story was inspired by a scene in a film - Snatch - where are room full of people are betting on a dog-fight. A dis-used, empty swimming pool, a dead dog lying in a pool of blood, lots of noise. Dogs being poked with a stick by an evil character who calls himself a 'Nemisis', and dogs being made to fight each other to the death. I love the film but that scene made me want to give those dogs a voice and get their revenge.  So, in his latest book, Olly gets to  turn the table and take revenge on not just the man who organised the dog-fight, but every person in the room who was taking joy from being cruel to dogs.

That's how Ollys' latest book came about. It keeps him with me and also helps in a very small way, to raise money for the team who saved Olly. He was lucky, so many don't get to be saved.

You can buy Olly's last book here and you can see more of Olly on his facebook page.

If you'd like to join my mailing list, learn more about my journey of writing and self-publishing and maybe have a go at writing a book yourself, join in at Mandy@WriteMyBook.co.uk